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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asserted that peace will not be handed to Ukraine as a gift, emphasizing the need for a strong nation to secure it, in a New Year video message. He expressed confidence that the United States would continue to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia's ongoing invasion, which has lasted 34 months. Zelenskiy highlighted the importance of military assistance from the U.S. and reiterated that any peace settlement must include security guarantees and NATO membership, a demand Russia opposes. He cautioned against trusting Russia, stating that any handshake could lead to renewed aggression. Reflecting on Ukraine's military advancements over the past year, including drone strikes and incursions into Russian territory, he urged his compatriots to remain resolute in their fight for a respected and strong Ukraine on both the battlefield and at the negotiating table.
Published: Jan 01 2025, 6 ameznews.inA New York judge has scheduled sentencing for President-elect Donald Trump on January 10, just ten days before his inauguration, indicating he is unlikely to impose jail time. Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over Trump's conviction for 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels, stated that he favors an unconditional discharge instead of incarceration. Trump's legal team had sought to have the conviction dismissed, citing presidential immunity, but the judge rejected this argument, noting that such immunity would apply only after Trump takes office. The ruling comes amid other legal challenges Trump faces, including federal cases related to the 2020 election and racketeering charges in Georgia, which may be delayed during his presidency. Judge Merchan emphasized the need to resolve the sentencing before Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025.
Published: Jan 04 2025, 5 ameznews.inA recent attack in New Orleans, where a U.S. Army veteran drove a truck displaying an Islamic State flag into a crowd, underscores the enduring influence of the extremist group despite its territorial losses in Iraq and Syria. The Islamic State, which once controlled vast areas and inflicted severe violence under its former leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has since fragmented into autonomous cells. Although U.S.-led military efforts have significantly weakened the group, it continues to inspire violence, evidenced by the New Orleans incident that resulted in 14 deaths. The group is reportedly regrouping, with concerns over its recruitment efforts heightened by geopolitical tensions, including the Israel-Hamas conflict. U.S. officials warn that Islamic State aims to exploit instability to regain capabilities, while its affiliate, ISIS-Khorasan, poses a significant threat to Europe. Analysts stress that while territorial resurgence seems unlikely, the risk of random violence remains a critical concern.
Published: Jan 04 2025, 5 ameznews.inAn explosion occurred at a police station in Islamabad's I-9 area, but fortunately, no injuries were reported due to the limited magnitude of the blast. Initially dismissed as a tire burst by a duty officer, the explosion was later confirmed to have taken place on the police station's premises. Authorities collected metal fragments from the scene, and investigations are ongoing. This incident follows a troubling pattern of violence in the region, including a suicide attack in 2022 that killed one and injured several at a police station in I-10. On December 25, 2024, a police officer was killed in Bannu during a terrorist attack, while a recent assault in Karak injured a polio worker. Additionally, two separate incidents involving live mortar shells in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa resulted in the deaths of six children in November and December 2024.
Published: Jan 04 2025, 4 ameznews.inA senior British government minister has criticized Elon Musk's recent comments regarding UK politics as "misjudged and certainly misinformed." Musk accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of failing to bring "rape gangs" to justice during his tenure as director of public prosecutions and suggested that Jess Phillips, the minister for the prevention of violence against women and girls, should be imprisoned for denying a public inquiry into a child sexual exploitation scandal in Oldham. Health Secretary Wes Streeting defended the government's commitment to addressing child sexual exploitation and expressed willingness to collaborate with Musk to combat the issue. Musk's posts primarily focused on the historical child sex abuse scandals in towns like Rochdale and Rotherham, while also controversially supporting imprisoned far-right figure Tommy Robinson. Critics, including Nigel Farage, have weighed in, clarifying that Robinson's imprisonment was for contempt of court rather than political activism.
Published: Jan 04 2025, 2 ameznews.inRepublican Mike Johnson was reelected as Speaker of the US House of Representatives on Friday, gaining crucial support from incoming President Donald Trump, which helped avert chaos as the 2025 session loomed. Johnson faced backlash from some party members for collaborating with Democrats on legislation, and his leadership was questioned during tense negotiations. Ultimately, only three Republicans opposed him during the vote, while all 215 Democrats backed their leader, Hakeem Jeffries. Johnson quelled concerns by pledging to reduce government size and enhance fiscal accountability. Trump's endorsement was pivotal, as a defeat for Johnson would have been an embarrassment for the former president. The new speaker now faces challenges from hardliners within his party, who demonstrated their influence during the standoff. House Republicans plan to discuss their agenda for 2025 at a retreat, including a controversial rule change that would limit the ability to challenge the speaker's position.
Published: Jan 04 2025, 1 ameznews.inArgentine police have arrested Braian Paiz, one of two men accused of supplying drugs to British singer Liam Payne before his fatal fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. Paiz, 24, is among five defendants indicted following the 31-year-old former One Direction star's death in October. Prosecutors allege Payne consumed cocaine, alcohol, and a prescription antidepressant prior to the incident. Paiz is specifically accused of providing drugs to Payne two days before the tragedy, although he denied this in a November television interview, admitting only to having met the singer. Payne had openly discussed his struggles with substance abuse and the pressures of fame. His death elicited widespread grief, with thousands gathering globally to pay their respects. One Direction, one of the top-grossing acts of the 2010s, has been on indefinite hiatus since 2016, while Payne's solo career has faced challenges.
Published: Jan 04 2025, 1 ameznews.inIndia has dispatched its first batch of humanitarian assistance to Bolivia to aid in combating severe forest fires that have prompted a national emergency declaration. The Ministry of External Affairs announced that the consignment includes 16 tons of firefighting gear, first-aid kits, medicines, and other essential supplies, aimed at addressing both the environmental crisis and health issues arising from the fires. This initiative follows India's previous humanitarian efforts, including a shipment of 1,000 metric tons of rice to Lesotho to bolster food security and 15 tons of aid to Nigeria in response to devastating floods. The Ministry emphasized India's commitment to supporting nations facing humanitarian challenges, highlighting the deep-rooted bilateral relations with both Lesotho and Nigeria.
Published: Jan 03 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a remarkable tale from China, 25-year-old live streamer Cheng Zhongkun, known online as @mingmokun, has gained 800,000 followers by donning high heels and showcasing his runway-style charisma while selling oranges in his village of Qingji, Chongqing. His engaging videos not only entertain but also serve a poignant purpose: the funds raised contribute to his mother's cancer treatment. Since launching his channel in 2022, Cheng has defied societal norms, embracing his feminine side and challenging traditional gender roles, all while receiving support from his local community. Despite past bullying for his interests, Cheng found acceptance among the village's elderly residents, who celebrated his uniqueness. His family, too, stands by him; his mother supports his choice of footwear, and his father humorously acknowledges Cheng's duality, stating he views him as both a son and a daughter.
Published: Jan 03 2025, 11 pmeznews.inThe Israeli military reported the launch of three rockets from Gaza on Friday, coinciding with Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 16 Palestinians, including children. These rocket attacks, rare in recent months, have surged since December amid an intense Israeli military campaign in northern Gaza. The Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, warned of escalated retaliatory strikes if the rocket fire persisted. The military confirmed that one rocket fell near the community of Nir Am, while another triggered sirens near Beeri, with no injuries reported. In Gaza, first responders described a devastating day, with fatalities resulting from strikes across Gaza City, the Maghazi refugee camp, and Rafah. The Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia was reported as "a pile of rubble," with claims of blocked humanitarian access. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 45,000 reported deaths in Gaza since the war began following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2022.
Published: Jan 03 2025, 11 pmeznews.inPresident-elect Donald Trump has sharply condemned President Joe Biden's immigration policies, attributing them to a recent rise in violent crime across the United States, particularly following a deadly attack in New Orleans and an explosion near the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump labelled Biden the "WORST PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA," asserting that the "Open Borders Policy" has led to an alarming increase in radical terrorism and crime. He called for urgent action to restore safety and national security, even suggesting CIA involvement to avert further deterioration. Trump's remarks follow tragic incidents, including a vehicle attack in New Orleans that killed 15 and an explosion in Las Vegas linked to an Army veteran. The Biden administration's immigration policies have faced criticism for allegedly exacerbating border security issues and illegal immigration, as highlighted in a recent House Oversight Committee hearing.
Published: Jan 03 2025, 11 pm
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